“Ninja?” asked Twilight with her brow raised.

“Yes.” answered Luna. “He was a ‘special’ friend of mine when my sister and I were growing up. He is a master of the deadly martial arts as well as magic.”

“What was he like?” questioned Pinkie Pie full of curiosity.

Luna’s cheeks began to glow pink. “He is a very powerful and kind stallion, who not only understood my night, but enjoyed it. We met one night when I was raising the moon. He was performing some type of dark magical spell; that sparked my curiosity, so after I was done, I went to investigate."

“He knows dark magic?” asked Twilight, stunned. After hearing about his dark powers, the little alicorn began to suspect this stallion might be like Sombra.

“He bowed to me as I approached him.” continued Luna. “And he was such a gentlecolt. We began conversing about how much we both enjoyed the night; and we just continued on, night after night.”

The other mares began to wonder what she met by ‘continued’, but she gave a reassuring glance that terminated any dirty thoughts.

“He also told me how he is the guardian of a secret power that nopony else knows about.”

“What kind of power?” questioned Twilight again?

“The power of Sacred animals called Arions.” replied Luna.

“Sacred?” asked Applejack.

“It means Holy, young one.” answered Celestia.

Applejack’s emerald eyes widened.

“He told me hundreds have tried to harness the power." continued Luna. "But only the strongest may wield it.”

Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash wore confident faces, while Twilight and the others looked doubtful.

“Do you still know where he resides?” asked Celestia.

“His home is hidden somewhere up in the snow capped mountains outside of Canterlot.”

“Hidden?” asked Twilight. “You mean you don’t know exactly where he is?”

“I’m afraid not.” admitted the blue mare.

“Sounds, quite cold.” put in Rarity.

“But right now, it is the only other source of power we have left.” said Luna.

“Then we know what must be done,” declared Celestia. “Princess Twilight!”

The younger alicorn rushed up to her former teacher. “Yes, Princess?”

“You’ve seen what this ‘monster’ is capable of and you know we have tried everything in our power to stop her, but it is not enough. You and your friends must go and seek out this mysterious master and the power he guards."

“But Princess,” objected Twilight, “what if we’re not strong enough? What if we’re not the chosen ones?”

Celestia fixed her lavender gaze on the smaller alicorn. “I understand your concern, but we have no other option. You must go, for ‘it’ is our last hope.

“We’ll be with ya, Princess Twilight!” declared Rainbow Dash. “All the way!”

“With the fate of fashion in jeopardy, how can I refuse?” asked Rarity.

“We’re on ya like apples on an apple tree.” added Applejack.

“Sounds super duper fun!” squeaked Pinkie Pie.

Everypony looked at Fluttershy. She looked more scared than she ever had in her whole life.

Twilight gave her a pleading gaze. “Please Fluttershy.” She breathed.

The yellow Pegasus looked out the royal window at the endless black night that the dark mare had created. After a moment, she closed her eyes and turned back to her friends in a defeated manner. “Twilight.” she began. “This is… just too scary.” She confessed. The girls couldn’t believe what they just heard.

“But Fluttershy, I…”

Fluttershy raised one hoof in the air to silence Twilight mid-speech. “Which is all the more reason why I’m in.”

“You’re serious?” asked Twilight.

“Of course. I could never leave any of you or my animal friends in the dark.” All the ponies ran over to the yellow Pegasus and embraced her.

“You’re very brave Fluttershy.” commended Celestia.

“Now, can we get going?” asked Rainbow impatiently.

“First we have to get supplies.” stated Twilight. “If we’re going up into the mountains, we’re going to need flash lights, warm clothing,”

“I’ll handle that!” voiced Rarity. Twilight gave her a nod of approval.

“Snacks!” interrupted Pinkie. The purple alicorn raised her brow for a moment, then nodded in acceptance.

“Good luck my little ponies.” said Celestia.

“Indeed, we wish you all the best of luck.” added Luna. “Oh! And one more thing.” said the moon Princess suddenly. “If he asks why you want the power, tell him I sent you. Remember that.”

“We’ll remember Princess!” With that Twilight and the others disappeared in a flash of white.

“Are you sure we can trust ‘him’.” asked Celestia.

“I’m positive.” replied Luna. “Trust me when I tell you he is the purest pony I know. Not to the mention the most handsome. She added silently.

“I hope this power really is as strong as you say.” confided Celestia to her sibling.

“So do I.” echoed the moon goddess.

The six mares reappeared at the edge of Canterlot.

“I recognize this part of town.” voiced Rarity. “This is where that marvelous jewelry shop is.”

“Yeah, yeah, right now we’ve got more important things to worry about!” asserted Rainbow Dash.

“So where exactly are these mountains?” asked Applejack.

“Right over there!” answered Pinkie Pie.

The six all stared up at the gigantic mountain range.

“It’s so….high.” uttered Fluttershy.

“Here we go again.” thought Rainbow.

Rarity pulled out some, ear muffs and jackets from her saddlebags. “I took the liberty of designing a special set of clothes for each of you girls.”

The others looked at the white unicorn in confusion.

“Twilight, I created a set of clothes with nothing but sparkling stars. I do hope you like it.” Twilight stared in her garment in awe. “Pinkie Pie, I ‘cooked’ up this patch of sweet pink clothes just for you.” Pinkie was bouncing with excitement. “Fluttershy, I know how much you love animals, so I made this forest green sweater with a swarm of butterflies.” Fluttershy’s eyes glowed.

“Applejack, I thought you might like something like, this.” Using her magic, Rarity levitated an apple red sweater with a barn in the center over to the farm pony.

“Well thank you kindly Rare.” said the cowpony.

“Rainbow Dash, it took me a while to get this one, but think even you might find this design interesting.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened at the design in front of her.

“I put a couple of rainbow lightning bolts ‘dashing’ through the sky. What do you think?” asked Rarity in a quick manner.

“It…is…Awesome!” answered the blue Pegasus.

Applejack then walked to center of the group of mares. “Whenever ya’ll get hungry, I brought some apple fritters, dumplings, apple fries, and, just…apples.”

The ponies shared a brief moment of laughter.

“I brought the flash lights.” added Fluttershy. She disputed one to each of the mares.

“Alright!” said Rainbow Dash confidently. “Is everypony ready?” The others nodded in unison. “Then let’s get going!”

Without the heat of the sun, the journey up the mountain proved difficult for the mares, but they struggled on.

“Thank you for making these outfits Rarity.” said Twilight.

“You’re quite welcome. After all when you travel up a huge mountain, you’ve got to do it in ‘style’.”

“Anypony hungry?” asked Pinkie.

“Pinkie! We shouldn’t waste anymore time.” scolded the lavender Princess. A gurgle then sounded from her stomach, causing her face to flush.

“Yeah.” sounded Rainbow. “Maybe we should stop and have a quick bite.”

“On it!” announced Pinkie. With the assistance of her party cannon a small picnic was instantly set up. After a quick meal, the girls strapped on their packs again and continued up the mountain.

“Are we there yet?” asked Rarity after an hour.

“No, not yet.” answered Applejack.

(Five minutes later) “How about now?” repeated the fashion designer.

“No.” replied Rainbow Dash.

After another hour of hiking they finally reached the top of the mountain. “Brrrr, it’s cold.” voiced Fluttershy.

“I know.” agreed Rarity. “Even my outstanding designs can’t shield me from this wind.”

“Girls, this is what it’s always like up here in the mountains.” reminded Twilight.

“Oh my stars!” expressed Rarity. “I’m covered in sweat!”

“It’s probably somepony else’s.” grumbled Applejack as she walked over to the designer mare. “Huh, well Whatta ya know. It actually is yours.”

“Get it off! Get it off!” screamed the unicorn.

“It’s o.k. It just means you’re actually putting fourth some effort. Congratulations, Rare.”

“Well, thank you Applejack; but still! Get it off! Get it off!”

“Why do I bother?” asked the farm pony to herself. She then heard heavy breathing behind her. “Fluttershy, you alright?”

“It’s getting hard to breathe up here.”

“There’s less oxygen up here because harsh winds and cold climate.” explained Rainbow Dash.

Twilight looked all over and didn’t see any signs of a home or shelter. “I don’t understand.” She expressed as she walked towards one of the mountain flanks. “How can this Ninja guy live up here in these conditions? I mean what does he do? Throw out a sleeping bag and…”

Twilight dematerialized and passed right through the mountain in a flash of purple electricity. The girls gasped in astonishment.

“Twilight!” cried Rainbow Dash.

“Are you alright?! Oh please be alright, please be alright.” begged Fluttershy.

Applejack tossed a rock against the mountain flank. It too passed right through. The girls all stared in awe.

“I reckon it’s some kind of secret passage.” decided Applejack.

“That is…Awesome!” exclaimed Rainbow as she zoomed toward the invisible entrance.

“Rainbow NO!!” cried Rarity.

Applejack went for her tail, but missed and the Pegasus shot right through in flicker of blue lightning.

“Hmph, Pegasi.” voiced Rarity.

Fluttershy raised a brow.

“Oh! Huh, no offense.” said Rarity correcting herself. “I hope they’re alright.”

“Only one way to find out.” decided Applejack. “I’m going in!” With that, the farm pony rushed into the mysterious passage; and disappeared in quick spark of orange static.

“Unbelievable.” whispered Rarity.

“Come on! This’ll be fun.” alerted Pinkie as she bounced through leaving behind a quick flash of pink lightning.

“Well, come on Fluttershy.” said Rarity. “We’re anywhere just standing here.”

Fluttershy watched as the snow colored unicorn dematerialized in a brief white spark. “Come on Fluttershy! You can do this! You can do this!” she told herself. “Besides, your friends need you.” Pushing her fear of the unknown aside, the yellow Pegasus galloped toward the hidden entrance and passed right through in a spark of yellow voltage.

Inside the mountain, the girls found themselves in a semi-dark cavern.

"Twilight!” called Applejack.

“Princess!” echoed Rarity in a mannerly tone.

“Over here!” Twilight responded. The five mares galloped a short distance following their friend’s voice; until finally, she came into view.

“Twilight!” gasped Fluttershy as she flew towards the alicorn. After a quick hug, the Pegasus checked her friend over. “Are you alright, Twilight?”

“Yes I am.” confirmed the alicorn.

“So, now whatta we do?” questioned Rainbow. Click!

“Ah, much better.” said Fluttershy turning on her flashlight.

“Thanks for the light, Fluttershy.” said Twilight. As the purple princess stepped forward, her hoof landed on a type of button followed by another brief ‘click’.

Realizing she had triggered something, she gave a small gasp and looked down.

“Twilight!” called Rainbow pointing upward.

Twilight immediately looked up, and saw thousands of spears plummeting like rain. Instantly, she was picked up and carried through the air by Rainbow Dash. The others followed, but began to lose speed as they neared the other end of the cavern. Two spiked ends began stretching out of the walls, threatening to either close off the girls or impale them.

“What do we do?!” screamed Fluttershy.

“Keep going!” replied Twilight.

“What!” asked Rainbow?

Instead of responding, Twilight fired a purple beam of magic at one of the lower spikes, leaving a small hole for her friends to escape.

“Got it!” said the blue Pegasus. She shot right threw the exit, followed by the others. Once they knew they were safe, they stopped to catch their breath.

“Is everypony alright?” questioned Twilight. Panting, the others nodded. “

Ow.” said Applejack as a small trickle of blood flowed down her left leg.

“Applejack!” expressed Twilight as she rushed to her friend’s side.

“Are you o.k.?!”

“I guess so.” replied the farm pony.

“Let me see!” said Rarity as she shoved her to the front. “Oh, you poor thing. Here, I have just the thing.” Rarity pulled out some disinfectant wipes, pain spray and bandages. Applejack’s eyes widen.

“You brought all that?”

“Told you I backed everything essential.” After cleaning Applejack’s cut, Rarity wrapped up her cut.

“Gee, thanks ‘nurse’ Rarity.” said Applejack in a jokeful tone.

“Not at all.” replied the white unicorn. “Now please, do try to be more careful, Twilight.” she said with a stare.

The alicorn’s cheeks turned pink. “Sorry.” “Hey, where’s Fluttershy?”

“She was right behind me.” answered Applejack.

“Fluttershy!” called Twilight.

“Fluttershy!” echoed Rainbow Dash.

“Over here.” said a weak voice. The five mares turned their attention to a small bush nearby. Fluttershy’s bright blue eyes peeked through the leaves.

“Are you alright, darling?” asked Rarity.

“I’ve never been so scared in my entire life.” whispered Fluttershy. “I just want to go home.”

Applejack walked over to the small shrub. “I understand that you’re scared Sugarcube, but this Ninja-guy is our last chance to save Ponyville.”

Rainbow Dash landed to the farmer. “Not just Ponyville, Equestria! Besides Fluttershy, what if Nightmare Moon got a hold of your animal friends.”

The Pegasus’s eyes widened at once.

“You couldn’t stop her. The elements are gone! So we couldn’t even stop her!"

"Also, our families." interrupted Twilight. "Our friends, even the Princesses! We have to keep going if we ever except to......

Fluttershy flew out of the bush. “Then what are we waiting for?” the lemon colored Pegasus pointed across the cavern. “Let’s get going!”

“Right!” added the others. Suddenly, a tremor shook the inside of the chamber. The girls looked up and gasped in horror as the entire ceiling sprouted giant spikes and descended down toward them. At the same time, the ground started shaking and began elevating towards the pointed top.

“Come on!!!!” cried Rainbow as her and the others raced across the stone floor.

Twilight looked at the spikes above and the end of the escalating floor. Doing a fast calculation in her mind, she estimated the time it would take for her and the others to reach the end. “We’re not going to make it!” “Faster, girls!” But as they neared the end, they all saw that the spikes already started to seal it up. In a last attempt, Twilight fired a large beam of purple energy creating a cavity large enough for the girls to escape.

As the girls charged towards the hole, they fell into a single file line with Rarity in last. The unicorn looked up saw that the points were just inches away from connecting with her.

She was just entering the hole, when… ‘CRUSH!’ the top hit bottom and Rarity’s tail was caught under the sharp ceiling. She screamed in absolute pain.

“Rarity!” shouted Twilight. The princess immediately ran back toward her friend, with the others on her heels.

“Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! My tail! My tail!”

“Just hold on Rarity, we’ll have ya outta there, lickity split.” announced Applejack.

Pinkie grabbed Rarity’s left upper hoof, while Rainbow took the opposite and began to pulling.

“STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPP!!!!” the unicorn yelled. “It hurts too much!” Pinkie began to let go.

“Sorry, Rare.” Rainbow pulled harder. “OWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!” repeated Rarity. Strands of her violent tail began plucking from her tail until, RIPPPPP! The three ponies tumbled forward. The others gathered around their friends.

“Oh my goodness!” gasped Fluttershy. “Are you alright Rarity?”

“Oh, my tail!” she whined. “I said I would never part with it again and once more, it’s gone! Thank Celestia it was only the tip of the end.”

“Sorry about that Rare.” said Rainbow Dash.

“Oh, well, at least I’m free.” breathed Rarity.

“Does it hurt?”asked Fluttershy.

“Not anymore.” replied the white pony.

“Oh, thank goodness.” said the yellow Pegasus.

“Come on girls, let’s get moving.” advised the young princess. “We still have a long way to go.”

“How do you know that?” questioned Rainbow.

“I don’t.” admitted Twilight.

“Eeeeek!”  Screeched Pinkie Pie as she nearly walked into a huge web.

“Oh relax, Pinkie.” said Applejack. “It’s just a big cob web.”

“Well, it’s the biggest I’ve ever seen.” remarked Rarity.

Applejack sighed. “I got it.”

“Wait!” cried Fluttershy as she pulled back her friend by the tail. “

It could be another trap.” “

Good thinking, Fluttershy.” declared Twilight. Using her magic, the purple mare grabbed an old stick and carefully lifted the web. Instantly, a barrage of never ending obsidian blades shot out from the walls.

The girls stood with their mouths agape, while Fluttershy fainted.

Rainbow smacked her forehead with her hoof. “Great! How do we get through this?!” Nopony uttered a word.

“Wait! I got it!” voiced Twilight. The sound of her friend woke Fluttershy. The little princess concentrated and charged her magic for a few seconds, then formed a semi-large force field around the six mares.

“Alright Twilight!” cheered Rainbow.

“Where did you learn that?” asked Fluttershy.

“From Cadence and my brother.” Twilight stated.

“I knew you were a super smart smarty smart pants.” added Pinkie.

The alicorn rolled her eyes. “Come on everypony, let’s get moving.” With the protection of Twilight’s spell, the six charged into the shower of sharp blades and emerged on the other end unscathed.

“Alright! We did it!” cheered Rainbow.

“Good job girls.” praised Twilight.

“Twi?” questioned Applejack. “Why can’t I feel any ground?” Everypony looked down; they were standing on nothing. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie and Fluttershy fell straight down; leaving Rainbow and Twilight hovering.

“Hold on everypony!” yelled Rainbow Dash.

“We’re coming!” echoed Twilight. “Fluttershy! Use your wings!”

A late realization struck Fluttershy and she immeditaly opened her wings and joined her descending allies. Fluttershy grasped Applejack, while Rainbow went for Pinkie; leaving Twilight to get Rarity.

“Woo, just in the nick of time. Thanks Fluttershy.”

The Pegasus’s cheeks turned Pink. “It was nothing, Applejack.”

Rarity gave her thanks to Twilight, but Pinkie Pie remained silent with her eyes wide.

“Uh, Pinkie? You’re safe now.” Rainbow reminded. “So I think I deserve a little thanks or something.”

Instead, the coral pony pointed down. Once Rainbow’s gaze met the bottom, her eyes grew wide as Pinkie’s.

Four impaled pony skeletons rested at the bottom of the stalactite laden floor.

“Let’s get outta here.” suggested Applejack.

“Yeah...” agreed Rainbow. While trying to erase the recent gruesome image from their minds, the airborne ponies flew their flightless friends back up to where they fell.

“You know?” asked Pinkie. “I’m starting to think this is a ‘booby trap party’.”

"This ain’t no party! Pinkie Pie!” yelled Applejack.

“Yeah, and I’m hoping that was that last one.” expressed Rainbow.

“Me too.” breathed Fluttershy. “I don’t know how much more I can take.”

“I know.” said Twilight. “But something tells me we’re almost there.”

“We better be.” whined Rarity. “I’ve got to rest!” She begged.

“Me too.” agreed Twilight. “Once we get to the top, let’s find a ‘solid’ piece of ground and rest a while.”

After a short break, Rainbow rose up and began looking around.

“What are you looking for?” asked Pinkie.

“A way out, what else?” answered Rainbow.

“Oh.” replied Pinkie. “You mean like that?” Pinkie pointed to a catenary rope bridge that connected their resting place to a cave on the other side.

“How did we….not notice that?” asked Rainbow.

“Dunno.” answered Pinkie. All the mares looked at the bridge.

“How do we know it’s not another trap?” asked Rarity.

“Don’t worry.” assured Rainbow. “I’ll fly over and check it out.” The blue pony inspected every inch of the bridge. Once she was satisfied, she flew back to her gang.

“Well?” quizzed Twilight.

“I checked the boards, the strength of the ropes, the hoofrails and made sure both ends were securely fastened. It’s good.”

“I’m impressed, Rainbow.” admitted Twilight.

“Daring Doo did this in her second book.” replied Rainbow.

“Good memory.” Twilight stated.  “Alright girls, let’s get to it.” The six mares cautiously approached the bridge.

“Are you sure it’s safe Rainbow?” asked Applejack.

“Positive.” she confirmed. Pinkie walked over and pressed her ear against onto the first board.

“Uh, Pinkie. What are you doing?” asked Rarity.

“Shhhh!” hissed the pink pony. After a few more seconds, she raised her head. “It’s good, I don’t hear anything.” With that, she began walking across the narrow bridge leaving the others in complete confusion.

“O.K.” said Twilight. “Let’s get going.” The mares began to follow their pink leader but Twilight kept her scenes open for any sound of any kind. They were more than half way across and still no trap was triggered. Twilight began to ponder.

“I don’t like this, it’s is too easy.”

“I know.” agreed Rainbow. Just then, a huge pendulum axe swung across and cut the ropes.

“RUN!” cried Twilight as she raced toward the end. But as the girls picked speed, more pendulum blades began swinging back and forth, cutting the girls off from their escape. Twilight knew there was only one way to save them all now. Just as the pendulums were about slice her and the others, she gathered her magic and they disappeared in a flash of white.

The six reappeared a second later on the other end.

“Thank. You. Twilight!” breathed Rarity.

“Way to go Twi!” added Rainbow.

“You saved us again.” voiced Fluttershy. The alicorn’s cheeks burned red at the complements. SNAP!!

A huge crunching noise cut the celebration short. The girls cowered into a corner until they found the source of the continuing sound. A set of jaw-like panels stood in front the mares, endlessly crunching.

“Alright. This is just getting weird!” said Applejack.

“I’ve seen worse.” Pinkie commented. Everypony looked at the pink mare in confusion. “What?” she asked.

“Well.” began Twilight. “I guess we’ll just have to, jump through.

“Well duh.” replied Rainbow. “But we gotta time it just right. Continued the blue Pegasus.

“Or else.” Fluttershy gulped.

“Hey! Look at this!” called Pinkie as she peered through the snapping obstacle. More sets of crunching structures lay inside.

“Oh great!” grumbled Rainbow.

“Come on girls, it’s easy.” Encouraged Pinkie as she bounced right into the chomping trap. The other watched in shock as the rose colored mare simply bounced through set of jaws; just barely missing each set of ‘teeth’.

“O.k. Pretend you’re Pinkie Pie and just……..bounce right through.” suggested Twilight.

“Can’t you just teleport us through?” asked Fluttershy, praying she’d say yes.

“I don’t know where the other end is and I don’t know how these ‘things’ go on.”

“Come everypony!” cried Rainbow. It’s time to pony up and just go for it! I know we can do it.”

“Yeah!” stated Applejack. “We made through all those other traps. We can do one too.” As the girls prepared to jump through, Twilight calculated the timing of the chomping pattern.

“It closes every one point five seconds.” she confirmed. “We’ll go one at a time. Remember, the second the jaws open; jump as fast as you can, but just enough to get through. Don’t want to go too far.” The others nodded. “I’ll go first.” Twilight decided. She let the jaws crunch three more times. “NOW!” and the young princess jumped through. As Twilight cleared the second set, Applejack went next, then Rainbow Dash, then Rarity. But Fluttershy didn’t move an inch.

“Fluttershy!” called Twilight after a long while. “Are you alright?!”

“Yes!” replied the timid Pegasus.

“Well, what’s taking so long?!” asked Rainbow Dash.

“I-I-I-I…I can’t do it!” Fluttershy admitted.

“Yes, you can!” urged Rainbow.

“NO! No, I can’t!” insisted Fluttershy. “I feel like I’m jumping right into the mouth of a d-d-d-dragon!”

The little Pegasus buried her face in her hooves. “I just can’t!” she sobbed.

“Fluttershy!” voiced Rarity. “If this were a dragon’s mouth, we wound have been ‘digested’ a long time ago!”

Fluttershy raised her head in realization.

“Oh yeah. But it still doesn’t make any less scary!”

“Fluttershy!” called Pinkie. “Just pretend you’re Angel bunny bouncing back to your cottage to get a nice, tasty carrot!”

Fluttershy thought for a minute. “Oh, o.k.” she decided. The little Pegasus walked up to the snapping jaws took a deep breath, and jumped in. “I, I did it. I did it!” she cheered.

“Come on Fluttershy!” came Twilight. “Just seven more to go!”

Feeling more confident, Fluttershy hopped like a rabbit through the rest of the sets.

“Alright Fluttershy! Praised Rainbow “Double high hoof!” The two pegasi banged their front hoofs together.

“We knew you could it!” said Pinkie Pie.

“Congratulations Fluttershy.” added Twilight. “You overcame your fears and made it through.” Fluttershy’s cheeks flushed pink.

“Hopefully that was the last trap.” said Rarity.

“I know.” agreed Twilight.

“How many more can there be?” asked Applejack.

“Maybe if we just don’t move for a while, nothing will happen.” suggested Fluttershy. Suddenly, a loud rumble sounded from behind. The girls peered into the darkness and giant boulder came rolling toward them.

“RUN!” yelled Pinkie. The six dashed down the opposite side. After a while, the girls saw a large space awaiting them.

“Get ready to jump!” alerted Applejack. While the winged ponies flew over, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie made a leap of faith. Applejack and Pinkie Pie landed perfectly, but Rarity missed by a hair. Rarity began to plummet to black abyss below until; something ‘magical’ enveloped her.  Using her magic, Twilight lifted Rarity back onto the ledge, leaving the boulder to fall down into the gap in the ground.

“Thank you again, Twilight.” Rarity breathed.

“You’re welcome Rarity.” replied the little Princess.

“Even standing still doesn’t keep us safe!” exclaimed Applejack.

“I know.” agreed Rainbow. “No matter where we go or what we do, we end up in some kind of trap.”

“Look!” interrupted Twilight. Up ahead of them was a series of stone pillars.

“Alright!” Pinkie shrieked. “We get to bounce some more!” But before the mare could leap forward, Applejack grabbed her by the tail and haled her back.

“Are you crazy, Pinkie?” scolded Rainbow.

“It’s another trap!” declared Fluttershy.

“Well then, how are we gonna get across?” asked Pinkie.

“Um, hello?” said Rainbow pointing to her wings.

“Fluttershy, Twilight and I will fly you guys over it.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” rushed Rarity. Taking the same pairs as last time, the three groups began to elevate; when all of a sudden, hundreds of arrows shot directly at them.

“Down!” ordered Twilight. Once they touched the ground, the arrows ceased.

“What was that?!” questioned Applejack.

“A way to make sure we don’t fly across.” decided Twilight. “See that red line?” A couple feet up was a transparent red line; indicating the aerial limit. “I guess if we go over that line, we’ll get shot at.” explained the alicorn.

“Well, looks like we’re bouncing after all.” voiced Pinkie.

“I guess so.” accepted Twilight. “Alright everypony, remember don’t jump too high.”

“Right!” said the others in unison. “Ready?” asked the princess.

“Ready!” echoed her friends.

“GO!”

As the girls hopped onto the first rock, it faintly cracked.

“Girls, move!” called Twilight. Just the girls hopped off the rock, it plummeted downward rapidly.

“I knew it was another obstacle!” yelled Rarity. It was true, every rock the girls landed on, fell a half second later.

“Girls!” called Twilight. “The second you land, jump again; in any ‘forward’ direction!”

“You don’t gotta tell me twice!” replied Applejack. After what seemed like forever, the girls finally cleared the last rock and landed on solid ground.

“Ow!” cried Fluttershy.

“What happened?” asked Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy held her front right hoof in pain.

“I landed wrong and twisted my hoof.”

“Oh no!” said Rarity. She rushed over to assess her friend.

“Don’t worry; I’ll wrap you up, good as new.” Gently, the unicorn wrapped Fluttershy’s swollen hoof.

“Thanks Rarity.” breathed the Pegasus.

“You’re welcome.” replied the white pony.

“Ugh! I thought that would never end.” breathed Twilight.

“Yeah.” replied Pinkie heavily. “It stopped being fun, after the first twenty.”

“Well, at least it over and we’re all safe.” spoke Fluttershy.

“Look!” said Rainbow pointing forward. Ahead was a large, ancient Asian looking house.

“I bet my mane, that place in loaded traps.” voiced Applejack.

“I agree.” said Fluttershy. “Let’s not go in!”

“Wrong!” said a deep voice from behind.

Slowly, the girls turned around and found the owner of the voice. Standing behind the mares, was a large stallion figure veiled in black. His dark eyes opened immediately.

“No more remain, so go forth, if you dare...to gain.” Though the stallion’s words were simple, they sent a chill down the girl’s spines.

“Does he know Zacora?” asked Applejack.

Pinkie stood up. “Are you that Ninja guy? Cause if you are, we’ve been looking for you.”

Rainbow Dash slapped her forehead.

The stallion jumped and flipped over the mares. “No.” replied the dark stallion in a whisper.

The doors of the temple slid open automatically as the dark stallion neared. Before entering, he looked back at the girls. “The master is waiting.” He turned, walked in and the doors slid shut.

“Cool.” Rainbow commented.

“I think we’re finally here.” said Twilight confidently.

The mares galloped toward the temple entrance. As the girls approached, the doors creaked open.

“Cool.” said Rainbow.

“Mysterious.” added. Pinkie.

As the mares walked in, the doors slammed shut. “Eek!” cried Rarity.

Hello?” called Twilight. Instantly, a bunch of dark shapes appeared out of nowhere and lined up against the walls. The stood frozen in shock; the shapes were just shadows, but there were no figures casting them. The silhouettes then peeled off the wall and began ponies; all exact copies of the previous black stallion. Three unicorns walked toward the mares and inspected Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy. Once they spotted their injuries, the stallions lowered their horns and enveloped the girl’s cuts in dark gray magic; healing them instantly.

“Wow, thank you.” expressed Fluttershy. “Yeah, thank you kindly.” added Applejack. “My beautiful tail!” exclaimed Rarity. “It’s finally back! Thank you so much, good sir.”

The stallions nodded in return. The black ponies immediately lined in two lines, forming a path to another set of sliding doors.

“I guessing that’s where Ninja is.” whispered Rainbow to Twilight.

“Correct.” blurted out one of the dark stallions; scaring the two mares.

“I hope it’s not filled with more traps.” Fluttershy commented.

“As do I.” said Rarity.

“I doubt it.” inserted Rainbow. Suddenly dark blue magic drenched the doors; slowly, they opened. Immediately the black ponies jumped and disappeared into the ceiling.

“Enter.” called a calm, stern voice.

“We finally found him!” said Twilight.

“Yippee!” squeaked Pinkie.

“Come on girls.” declared Twilight and the six entered in the room. The girl’s eyes grew wide in disbelief. There, mediating and levitating in midair was a deep blue alicorn stallion with a navy mane and tail in the shape of a curved blade. He wore a light blue hand band and his cutie mark was a pair of golden Japanese symbols.

Next Chapter: Revenge of the Ninjas Estimated time remaining: 24 Minutes